Land degradation is a global threat to the supply of vital ecosystem goods and services, biodiversity conservation, and livelihoods improvement. While several programs have been implemented to address land degradation in varied contexts, their economic valuation is still limited, particularly in rangelands, which occupy 54% of earth’s terrestrial surface. Using cross-sectional survey data from pastoralist households in Ethiopia, this study assessed the willingness to pay (WTP) for rangeland health services for environmental management and improvement of ecosystem, human, and livestock health. We found that WTP was ETB552 (US3. 61) to ETB699 (US4. 57) monthly for training in the management of invasive plant species, removal of encroached bush, forestry, and modern honey production. WTP was ETB991 (US6. 48) for a modern beehive; ETB507 (US3. 31) per kg of native grass seeds; ETB216 (US1. 41) per kg of improved (non-native) grass seeds; ETB176 (US1. 15) to ETB228 (US1. 49) for tree seedlings; ETB435 (US2. 84) to ETB453 (US2. 96) per 90 kg of charcoal and biochar made from invasive plant species; and ETB368 (US2. 41) for a monthly subscription fee for information about rangeland health. WTP was heterogeneous by sex, age, education, household size, livestock herd size, income, and membership in a rangeland management group. Initiatives promoting rangeland health services for effective environmental management and enhancement of its quality will likely be successful, especially when socially differentiated preferences are considered. • We conducted a valuation of rangeland health services for environmental management. • We combined double-bounded dichotomous choice and open-ended elicitation formats. • Households are willing to pay and preferences are socially differentiated.
Shikuku et al. (Fri,) studied this question.